444 JOSEPH HYDE PRATT 



and it makes a very valuable by-product, although occasionally 

 a deposit is found that is practically free from this mineral. 

 Where the barytes is encountered near the surface in the clay, 

 it is apt to be stained more or less with iron oxide. 



In North Carolina the barytes deposits occur in Gaston, 

 Madison, and Orange counties, those which are worked most 

 extensively being in Madison county. The mining in this 

 state is largely by means of shafts, tunnels, and drifts. 



The Tennessee barytes deposits are located in Bradley, 

 Cocke, Greene, Loudon, and Monroe counties. The erection 

 of a large barytes mill for grinding this mineral and preparing 

 it for market, and also for the production of artificial sulphate 

 of barium, and other compounds of barium, will undoubtedly 

 lead to a considerable increase of the industry in this state. 



In Virginia the barytes mines are located in Bedford, 

 Campbell, Louisa, Pittsylvania, Russell, and Tazewell counties. 

 The mines near Evington, Campbell county, where the min- 

 ing is now carried on largely by means of shafts and drifts, 

 have been worked almost continuously since 1874. About 

 1901 the deposits of Russell and Tazewell counties were opened 

 and the latter gives prospect of becoming the largest producer 

 of this mineral in Virginia. 



The deposits of barytes that are being developed in Ill- 

 inois are in Hardin county, and those of Kentucky are in 

 Crittenden county. 



The growth of this industry has been partially dependent 

 on the growth of the paint industry, in which a very large pro- 

 portion of the barytes produced is used. The barytes has 

 a pure white color, which is permanent, and it is unaffected 

 by weather or by gases that in some instances blacken white 

 lead, for which the barytes is used as a substitute. Besides 

 the use of barytes in the paint industry, it is employed in the 

 manufacture of paper and rope to give weight ; and also in the 

 preparation of a material that is used to coat the canvas sacks 

 in which hams are wrapped when ready for market. Another 

 use for this mineral, and one that should increase rapidly, is in 

 the manufacture of other barium compounds, principally the 

 hydroxide. This compound was formerly prepared almost 

 exclusively from the mineral witherite, barium carbonate; 



